Tonny Mawejje is accustomed to playing against the Ghana Black Stars. The midfielder has turned up in the Uganda Cranes’ jersey against the West African nation in different campaigns for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and Fifa World Cup Qualifiers. Upon return to the national team set-up, Mawejje believes his knowledge about the Black Stars will guide the Cranes to victory when the two teams meet in Match Day 5 of the 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers in Namboole on Saturday.
“I know how to beat Ghana because I have played more than four games against them,” Mawejje told fufa.co.ug upon arrival from his new club KF Tirana in Albania. While trying to wrap up his move to Tirana, Mawejje missed the recent qualifier double-header against Egypt a month ago with Uganda winning 1-0 in Kampala before losing by the same result in Alexandria. “I am now rejuvenated and ready to give in all what I have to help Uganda get good results,” said Mawejje, who struck in the 1-1 draw against Ghana in Kumasi during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Egypt, who host Congo-Brazzaville on Sunday, lead the quest for the lone slot in Group E with nine points after four matches. Uganda has amassed seven with Ghana two points adrift. Mawejje also featured in Ghana’s last visit to Kampala in November, 2014 which ended in 1-0 win courtesy of defender Savio Kabugo’s goal.
He also featured in the goalless draw as Uganda began the road to Russia in the Group stages in Tamale last year, months before the Cranes lost 1-0 courtesy of Andre Ayew’s penalty on Match Day One of Afcon 2017 in Port-Gentil, Gabon.
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
ROAD TO RUSSIA - AFRICA
GROUP E FIXTURES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
4PM: Uganda vs. Ghana, Namboole
UGANDA CRANES’ CAMP AFTER TUESDAY
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Ochan & Ismail Watenga
Outfield players: Nico Wadada, Denis Iguma, Savio Kabugo, Bernard Muwanga, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awanyi, Ivan Ntege, Tom Masiko, Shafik Kagimu, Muzamir Mutyaba, Tom Masiko, Derrick Nsibambi and Nelson Senkatuka, Isaac Isinde, Joseph Ochaya, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Tonny Mawejje, William Kizito Luwagga, Edrisa Lubega & Geofrey Serunkuma
GHANA SQUAD TO KAMPALA
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg United, South Africa), Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA), Daniel Opare (Augsburg, Germany) Agbenyenu Lumor (Portimonese, Portugal), Abass Mohammed (Harrisburg City, USA), Kasim Nuhu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Daniel Amartey (Leicester,England), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew,USA), Nicholas Opoku (Club Africain, Tunisia), Vincent Atinga (Hearts of Oak)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Joseph Attamah (Bakaksehir, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Kingsley Sarfo (Malmo, Sweden), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo FC, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (Stuttgart, Germany), Frank Acheampong (Tianjin TEDA, China), Isaac Twum (Inter Allies), Patrick Twumasi (Astana FC, Kazakhstan)
Forwards: Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland), John Antwi (Misr Lel-Makkasa, Egypt), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia)
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune